What is the size of the photo for a driver's license?
3 Answers
Driver's license photos must be one-inch white background photos. According to the regulations on the application and use of motor vehicle driver's licenses, the size and color of the photos have been clearly specified. The requirements include a front-facing, single-person, half-body ID photo of the applicant taken within the last six months, with a white background and clear visibility of the person. Nowadays, driver's license photos can be retouched, but the degree of retouching should not be excessive. According to the regulations, the image should be clear, with rich layers, natural facial expressions, and no obvious distortion or stretching. Photos that meet these requirements can be used. When applying for a motor vehicle driver's license, six photos need to be submitted. According to the motor vehicle driver's license file management, the resolution of the photos should be 300dpi. However, requirements may vary slightly by region. Specific requirements should be based on local policies, and photos can be taken directly at the driving school during registration. Holders of A1, A2, A3, B1, or B2 driver's licenses must report to the traffic management department of the public security authority within thirty days after the end of each scoring cycle for verification. However, if there are no demerit points recorded during a scoring cycle, the verification for that cycle is exempted.
I remember when applying for a driver's license, I needed to prepare photos with dimensions of 32mm by 22mm, which is called a small one-inch photo, specifically for Chinese driver's license applications. The first time I went to take the photo, the photographer at the studio immediately told me about this specification and emphasized that the background must be pure white, the head must be centered, ears must be visible, and no hats or reflective glasses are allowed. If the photo is taken incorrectly, the vehicle management office will directly reject the application, delaying the entire process. Actually, this size has been around for a long time—it's a unified national standard because it fits perfectly on the driver's license card format, making it less prone to damage or peeling. Later, when I helped a friend apply for a driver's license, I reminded them to confirm the head proportion in the photo in advance—it can't be too large or too small, or it will exceed the frame and be rejected. I recommend going directly to a studio experienced in ID photos, telling them your requirements, and they can usually handle it. Don't forget to bring your ID to avoid last-minute panic.
When I was getting my driver's license, the most troublesome part was the photo size requirement. It had to be 32mm × 22mm, a specific small one-inch size. At first, I didn't understand these dimensions and went to a small shop near my home to get it done. The photographer got it wrong, and I had to waste money redoing it. Later, I learned that this is the standard size exclusively for driver's licenses, with a pure white background and no accessories being common knowledge. Whenever I share my experience, I always say: never go for cheap, random photos. More professional studios know the process—just mention it, and they’ll handle it correctly. Also, the photo must be taken within the last six months; don’t try to reuse an old one. I almost missed my application deadline because my photo was rejected for incorrect sizing. Now, every time I see the photo slot on my license card, I realize how useful this precise 32×22 design is—it prevents the card from being too thick or warped. In short, new drivers should prioritize getting this detail right to save time and hassle.
